After years of their careers in the not-so-public realm of film-making, co-writers / co-directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland most recently known for their joint project, The Fluffer, have gone more serious and more sensitive with this film, the Sundance Film Festival 2006 Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize-winning, Quinceañera. This remarkable little film runs all of 90 minutes but seems more like an entire season of what would be a hit show on Showtime®. The story focuses mainly on 14-year old Magdalena played by the remarkable young actress, Emily Rios, as she confronts her impending Quinceañera ceremony. For those unaware of this tradition, it is in many ways analogous to a cross between a Bat Mitzvah and a Debutante Ball for those 15-year old girls from Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas. There is a beautiful dress, a religious ceremony, a big party, gifts, cakes, flowers, balloons, limos, etc. Coming from a family with less means headed by a father who is also a preacher, Magdalena, anticipates a less lavish affair for her Quinceañera than her well-to-do cousin, though she hopes to persuade her father to get her the same Hummer® Limo as her cousin nonetheless.

Unfortunately, for her, before things get too far along in the planning stages, she and her family are stunned to learn she has conceived a child without having relations with her boyfriend, Herman (J. R. Cruz)—"There is a scientific explanation for it," she later explains to her father who suspects a miracle. When her father first learns of the pregnancy, however, he is very harsh with her, and Magdalena decides to run away from home to live with her nearby great uncle Tomas (Chalo González). Tomas is also harboring her cousin Carlos (Jesse Garcia) who was expelled under similarly socially stigmatizing circumstances when his father discovers he is exploring pornographic sites for same-gender curious people on the Internet. Tomas is the 85-year old patriarch of the family, and he has lived in the same home in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles for more than 20 years. His small home is in the lower part of the yard of another home that was purchased recently by a young gay couple. Carlos meets them and forms a consensual relationship with them much to the chagrin of his parents. Tomas, however, does not judge him nor does he judge Magdalena for her actions. In effect, this becomes the nexus of the moral of the story—kids may turn how differently than expected, in the case of Carlos, or make decisions their parents / guardians may wish they would not, as in the case of Magdalena; however, they are just as deserving of the respect and love of their loved ones.

"… remarkable little film … wonderful stories and traditions … will bring even the most strident doubters to tears …"

The setting of the film gave unique perspective to the area where Magdalena has grown up, and where Tomas has watched his once inexpensive neighborhood slowly gentrify with skyrocketing rents and land values. The directors have allowed the area and its inhabitants to speak for themselves rather than pushing stereotypes or their own views. This gave the film a more genuine and authentic feeling. The other characters: Magdalena's father Ernesto (Jesus Castaños), mother Maria (Araceli Guzman-Rico) aunt Silvia (Carmen Aguirre), and uncle Walter (Johnny Chavez) were also well portrayed. By far, however, Ms Rios and Mr. Garcia steal the show. Their raw talent comes through giving both Magdalena and Carlos an important edginess that manifests in electric performances. Not to give anything away, but Carlos is charged with a eulogy at one point that will bring even the most strident doubters to tears.

It is easy to see why this film was a fan favorite at Sundance. My only wish would have been that, indeed, it had been a Cable-TV series instead. I would have preferred to have more time with these characters to watch as their very complex lives unfolded. Moreover, I would like to see where their lives went after this. I realized in part due to the movie that the lives of descendants of immigrants from the Americas are underserved in Television and Movies, so I laud this project for awakening us to the wonderful stories and traditions we have been missing.

Co-directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, known recently for The Fluffer, have gone more serious with Quinceañera. Focusing on 14-year old Magdalena, played by the remarkable actress Emily Rios, as she confronts her impending Quinceañera ceremony, this remarkable little movie won the Sundance Film Festival 2006 Audience Award and Grand Jury Prizes. Unfortunately, before things get far along in the planning stages for her Quinceañera, she and her family are stunned to learn she has conceived a child causing her father such grief she runs away to live with her great uncle, Tomas. The setting of the film gave a unique perspective to the area where Magdalena has grown up, and Tomas has watched his once inexpensive neighborhood slowly gentrify. The moral of the story shares the benefits of valuing others for their differences versus judging them. It's easy to see why this was a crowd pleaser at Sundance.